Guardian writers' predicted place: 2nd (NB: this isn't essentially Ed Aarons' prediction however the common of our writers' suggestions)
Final season's place: 2nd
Prospects
Mikel Arteta vowed this may be a “huge summer time” after ending as runners-up within the Premier League for a 3rd season in succession and the brand new sporting director, Andrea Berta, has delivered on a lot of signings in his first switch window. The query now for Arsenal supporters is whether or not Martin Zubimendi, Christian Nørgaard, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres, Cristhian Mosquera and Kepa Arrizabalaga can assist them take that elusive ultimate step to changing into champions for the primary time for the reason that Invincibles in 2004.
The arrival of Gyökeres will definitely quieten the clamour for a brand new No 9 that has rumbled on for a number of years, though the stress will instantly be on the Sweden striker to hit the bottom operating. Longstanding goal Zubimendi ought to present metronomic accuracy on the base of a new-look midfield that Arteta will hope can proceed to get one of the best out of Declan Rice and rejuvenate the captain Martin Ødegaard, whereas Madueke will certainly present a lot better back-up for his or her talisman Bukayo Saka than Raheem Sterling managed final season and will additionally push Gabriel Martinelli for a beginning place on the left flank.
However even with the teenage sensations Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri having dedicated their futures to the membership after having fun with excellent breakthrough seasons, there stay issues a few lack of creativity within the squad. A transfer for Crystal Palace's FA Cup hero Eberechi Eze may rely upon gamers departing earlier than the top of August to steadiness the books.
But whereas Arsenal might find yourself paying greater than £200m for the additions to their squad thus far, seeing champions Liverpool comfortably outspend them after ending 10 factors forward final season has left many followers questioning if they've gone far sufficient. The squad positively appears to be like stronger than this time final 12 months however with different rivals additionally closing in, it may very well be make or break for Arteta.
The supervisor
Ending one more marketing campaign with out silverware was a bitter tablet to swallow for Arteta, who celebrated his fifth anniversary in cost simply earlier than Christmas. A solitary FA Cup a number of months later isn't a good reflection on the progress Arsenal have made since then – particularly given the run to the Champions League semi-finals final season – however Arteta is aware of he will probably be in the end judged on delivering titles. He made no secret of his frustration over the dearth of canopy in Arsenal's squad because the accidents mounted up final 12 months. With loads of reinforcements now added, Arteta should seize his alternative.
Off-field image
The shock departure of Edu Gaspar in November disrupted plans for the January switch window however Berta has offered some recent perspective since becoming a member of in March. Arsenal's American house owners, Kroenke Sports activities & Leisure, had been rated as essentially the most invaluable sports activities possession group on the planet in July at an estimated $21.3bn (£16.1bn) due to a portfolio that additionally contains the NFL's Los Angeles Rams, the NHL's Colorado Avalanche and the NBA's Denver Nuggets. So funding one other summer time spending spree wasn't a problem after conserving their powder comparatively dry final 12 months. They – like Arsenal's supporters, who pay for some of the costly season tickets within the nation – nonetheless, will need a return for his or her funding sooner or later.
Star signing
No Arsenal participant managed 10 objectives within the Premier League final season so the onus is on Gyökeres – who scored a staggering 97 objectives in 102 video games for Sporting – to fill the void. The one subject is that the 27-year-old by no means performed in English soccer's prime flight regardless of being on Brighton's books after which excelling within the Championship for Coventry. He will probably be anticipating to get loads of alternatives in a aspect that often dominates their opponents in midfield however struggled to interrupt groups down final season, drawing 14 occasions within the league. Having finally opted for Gyökeres somewhat than RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko or Alexander Isak of Newcastle, Arsenal should now discover a technique to utilise his apparent strengths.
Stepping up
It's extremely possible that solely Premier League rules prevented Max Dowman from taking Nwaneri's report because the competitors's youngest ever participant final season. The attacking midfielder has been coaching with Arsenal's first group squad since celebrating his fifteenth birthday on the flip of the 12 months and was described as “particular” by Arteta after coming off the bench to win a penalty of their pre-season win towards Newcastle in Singapore. “What he's finished towards this group within the time that he had on the pitch is one thing actually not widespread to witness for a 15-year-old,” he mentioned. Dowman is predicted to be handed a possibility sooner somewhat than later and it is going to be intriguing to see what influence he can have.
A giant season for …
Martin Ødegaard was the primary to confess that his performances final season lacked their typical sparkle, with a return of three league objectives his lowest since transferring to north London completely in 2021. The 26-year-old captain was additionally substituted on 12 events after lacking a part of the season attributable to an ankle harm as he struggled to seek out his greatest type. The Norwegian should rekindle his relationship with Saka that has proved so efficient down the years, whereas Arteta will probably be hoping that Gyökeres can end off among the probabilities Ødegaard will inevitably create given the dearth of different choices moreover the inexperienced Nwaneri and Dowman.
